NYT Crossword Answers: Get Hints and Solve All Clues

The clue "Texter's 'shrug'" uses quotes to indicate a colloquial expression. When texting, a "shrug" often conveys uncertainty or not knowing. The abbreviation "IDK" stands for "I don't know," which fits perfectly as it expresses that unsure, figurative "shrug."

The answer is NIA because Nia Long is a well-known actress who starred in the 1997 film Soul Food. The clue directly references her last name, "Long," and relates it to her role in this iconic movie. Hence, "NIA" is the correct solution.

The answer is TAROROOTS because taro is a staple crop in Polynesia, widely used in traditional dishes. The root of the taro plant is especially significant, often cooked, mashed (like in poi), or used in various recipes, making TAROROOTS a foundational part of Polynesian cuisine.

The answer "ENAMELS" fits because enamel is the hard, protective outer layer that coats teeth. The plural form "enamels" aligns with the clue's plural "coatings," referring to protective layers on multiple teeth. This straightforward connection ties the clue directly to the structure of teeth.

The answer is LEONA because Leona Lewis is a British singer who gained fame after winning "The X Factor" in 2006. Her 2008 worldwide hit, "Bleeding Love," topped charts in multiple countries, making her closely associated with the song mentioned in the clue.

The clue "Hon." is a playful shorthand for "honey," a term of endearment. "BAE" is a slang term often used similarly as a pet name for a loved one, short for "before anyone else." The informal and affectionate tone matches perfectly, making "BAE" the solution.

The answer "ORB" fits the clue "Prop for a psychic" because psychics are often depicted using a crystal ball, which is spherical, like an orb. The term "prop" suggests a tool or object associated with their practice, making "ORB" an apt description.

The answer "OGAUGE" refers to a standard track size for model trains, particularly popular among hobbyists. "O gauge" tracks are defined by their specific width, helping ensure compatibility between different model train sets and accessories, making them a recognized "standard" in the model train world.

The phrase "Goes up in flames" literally describes something catching fire and being consumed by flames. The word "BURNS" aligns perfectly with this idea, as it refers to the process of something being ignited or scorched, matching the literal interpretation of the clue.

The clue "I'm totally serious!" is in quotes, signaling a spoken phrase. "YES, REALLY" is a common verbal expression used to emphasize sincerity or confirm that someone is indeed serious, matching the meaning of the clue perfectly. The tone aligns with the phrase's emphatic nature.

The clue "Barrel in a cellar" leads to WINEVAT because a wine vat is a large container or barrel typically used in wine cellars for storing or fermenting wine. It aligns with the setting (cellar) and function (holding wine), matching the description in the clue.

The answer is ECOLI because Escherichia coli (E. coli) is a well-known bacteria commonly found in the intestines of humans and animals. While some strains are harmless, others can cause serious foodborne illnesses, making it a "common bacterial pathogen." The clue directly points to this familiar organism.

The answer is PEREC because Georges Perec (1936–1982) was a French novelist known for his experimental and innovative writing. He authored "Life: A User’s Manual" (“La Vie mode d’emploi”) in 1978, which is widely regarded as his masterpiece, cementing his literary legacy.

The clue "Swap" directly points to an exchange of goods, services, or actions, which is the definition of the word "TRADE." Both words are synonymous, making TRADE the perfect fit for this straightforward clue.

KIM is the correct answer because it is the most common surname in South Korea, with millions of citizens bearing it. Korean surnames are derived from clans, and KIM historically originates from powerful clans in Korean history, making it statistically the most prevalent family name today.

The answer is ERROL because Errol Flynn was a famous actor known for playing swashbuckling characters in classic films like The Adventures of Robin Hood and Captain Blood. The clue references his iconic roles in adventurous, action-packed movies.

The clue "Buy things" suggests the act of using money to acquire items. To buy something, one typically "SPENDS" money. Thus, SPEND captures the essence of the clue, as it describes the action necessary to purchase or obtain goods.

The answer is TONYA because Tonya Harding is a well-known figure skater and champion. She gained prominence in the 1990s and is remembered for her achievements in figure skating, including being a U.S. champion, as well as her controversial history. This clue directly refers to her.

The clue "Chowderhead" is a slang term used to describe someone who is foolish or not very bright. "Idiot" is a synonym for such a person, fitting the clue perfectly as a direct definition. No tricky wordplay is involved here.

The clue "Big Apple coppers" involves wordplay. "Big Apple" is a common nickname for New York City, and "coppers" refers to police officers. Together, they point to the New York Police Department, commonly abbreviated as NYPD. Hence, the solution is NYPD, representing NYC's law enforcement.

The clue "Many a caged creature" refers to animals commonly kept in enclosures for public viewing. A ZOO ANIMAL, like lions or monkeys, fits this description because zoos often cage animals either for their safety or conservation. The phrase broadly encompasses creatures housed in zoos.

The clue "Feeling in an emergency" directly points to an intense emotional reaction commonly experienced during urgent or dangerous situations. That feeling is "PANIC," defined as a sudden, overwhelming fear or anxiety that hinders clear thinking—perfectly fitting the context of an emergency.

The clue "Repeated instance, jokily" uses wordplay. "Zillionth" humorously exaggerates the idea of countless repeated occurrences, implying an almost infinite number of times something has happened, expressed in a playful, exaggerated manner. Hence, "jokily" fits perfectly.

ERATO is one of the nine Muses from Greek mythology, specifically the Muse of lyric and love poetry. In classical tradition, she inspires poets to compose verses about romance and passion. The clue directly references her role, making ERATO the correct answer.

The phrase "Speed demon" is a common idiom referring to someone who drives extremely fast, often recklessly. The blank in "Speed ___" is completed with "demon" to form this expression, fitting the clue's context of a "fast driver."

The clue "Catch my drift?" ends with a question mark, signifying wordplay. "Catch my drift?" is a conversational phrase asking if someone understands or gets the point. The answer, GOTIT, is a casual, spoken response meaning "I understand" or "I get it," perfectly fitting the clue's tone.

The clue "Showed up" corresponds to the past tense of arriving or appearing somewhere, which is "CAME." This fits as both the literal meaning and grammatically matches the clue's past tense structure.

The answer "BEDRAIL" fits the clue because it is a safety feature installed on a child's bed to prevent them from accidentally falling off while sleeping. This matches the clue's context of ensuring safety for a sleeping child. It's a straightforward, practical solution.

The clue "Exhaustion" directly defines FATIGUE, as both refer to extreme tiredness or weariness, typically from physical or mental exertion. The synonymy between the terms makes FATIGUE the perfect solution for this straightforward clue.

The answer is BREXIT because in 2016, the U.K. held a referendum to decide whether to leave the European Union. The term "Brexit" (a blend of "Britain" and "exit") dominated U.K. newspapers during this time, as it triggered significant political and economic debates and changes.

The phrase "wrack and ruin" is an idiom meaning complete destruction or devastation. "Wrack" refers to wreckage or damage, making it a fitting partner to "ruin" in this common expression. The clue’s blank indicates filling in the idiomatic pairing.

The clue "___, meenie ..." is a direct reference to the popular children's rhyme "Eeny, meeny, miny, moe." The blank represents the first word of the rhyme, which is "EENIE." Since the clue is in quotes, it signals a spoken phrase, making EENIE the correct solution.

DANTE is the correct answer because Dante Alighieri, a renowned poet from Florence, Italy, authored The Divine Comedy, one of the most celebrated works in world literature. Known as the "Father of the Italian language," Dante's epic poem explores themes of the afterlife in Hell, Purgatory, and Paradise.

The answer "GRIME" fits the clue "Layer of filth" because grime refers to a thin coating of dirt, grease, or soot that builds up on surfaces, fitting the definition of a "layer" of filth. It's a direct, literal interpretation of the clue with no wordplay involved.

The clue "U.F.O. crew" refers to the common association of unidentified flying objects (U.F.O.s) with extraterrestrials (E.T.s). The abbreviation "E.T.s" stands for "extraterrestrials," implying alien beings who are often imagined as the crew of U.F.O.s. Thus, the answer "ETS" fits perfectly.

The clue "Reproduce on paper" directly describes the act of transferring text or images onto paper, which aligns perfectly with the word "PRINT." Printing is the process used to reproduce content physically on paper, making it a straightforward match for this clue.

The answer is EGG because cartons typically hold a dozen eggs, making an egg one of the twelve items in the container. This is a straightforward literal clue referring to the common packaging of eggs in cartons.

The answer is DOO because it's a prefix in the popular phrases "doo-hickey" (a slang term for a gadget or thingamajig) and "doo-wop" (a music genre characterized by vocal harmony). The clue plays on these compound terms where "doo" serves as the lead-in.

The word "devoured" means to consume something completely, often with intensity or eagerness. "Ate" is the past tense of "eat," which directly aligns with devouring food. Thus, "ATE" is a straightforward synonym and fits perfectly as the solution.

The answer "LYE" fits because sodium hydroxide (NaOH) is a highly caustic compound commonly known as lye. It is frequently used in soap-making, cleaning products, and even for unclogging drains, making "lye" its widely recognized common name.